Auburn University students partnered with Church of the Highlands to reach out and serve the community for an annual Serve Day on July 12.
Church of the Highlands is based out of Birmingham with multiple camp locations across the state, including one in Auburn.
Serve Day was created by Church of the Highlands more than six years ago to meet needs in the communities surrounding campuses all over the state.
As a part of Serve Day, thousands of church members rally together in groups to perform different Serve Day projects that need attention in a variety of communities. Volunteers wear red Serve Day T-shirts to draw attention.
Whether it's cutting grass, washing cars, painting, gathering food or praying, Serve Day allows people of all ages to be involved in their communities to accomplish both small and large projects.
Wren Aaron, assistant campus pastor at the Church of the Highlands in Auburn, is proud of the students who served alongside him, and many others, on this year's Serve Day.
"On Serve Day, they stand out in their abilities, willingness and love for their community," Aaron said.
According to Aaron, more than 13,000 people across the state participated in Serve Day this year, and he believes characteristics such as love for God, love for fellow man and the drive to go above and beyond are shared by both the Auburn family and the large number of Serve Day volunteers.
Adam Brown, graduate student in software engineering, served with a group of college students to throw a block party at the Dean Road Recreation Center.
The project's purpose is to build relationships with the residents in order to impact their lives, according to Brown.
Rather than changing the community through yard work, Brown and his team grill out, play sports and enjoyed Serve Day with the families in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Brown has attended Church of the Highlands for two years and enjoys the relationships he has built through the church. He believes because Jesus served others, Christians get to do the same.
"That's what Serve Day is all about," Brown said. "I think it's great that we have such a vibrant group of people in the Auburn Family that share that same passion."
Hope Kennamer, senior in communication, represented Auburn on Serve Day by serving at the Birmingham Dream Center and co-leading a neighborhood outreach in the Woodlawn areas.
Kennamer and her team started the day by connecting with residents while picking up trash and later hosted a block party in the Woodlawn community. In addition to the party, medical check-ups, legal advice, basic financial planning, hair cutting stations and prayer were provided on site.
Kennamer is proud so many Auburn students took part in Serve Day and is proud of the Auburn community. She believes serving her community, whether she is in Auburn or Birmingham, grows her love for God and for people.
"The Auburn family is all about togetherness," Kennamer said. "Being a part of a day dedicated solely to serving and helping others meet all kinds of needs really encompasses what the Auburn family stands for in many ways."
Kennamer encourages students to get involved in the community any way they can.
The Auburn students involved with Serve Day at Church of the Highlands show their love for God, people and Auburn through service and outreach.
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